Blanc plays down talk of PSG move for Mata

29 November 2013 02:46

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc admitted on Friday that he would "not be against" the signing of a new midfielder in January but played down talk of a move for Chelsea's Juan Mata.

"If a new midfielder comes in (during the January transfer window), I would not be against it," Blanc said at a press conference ahead of Sunday's Ligue 1 showdown with Lyon at the Parc des Princes.

However, asked about the possibility of a swoop for Mata, who has been struggling to get a game at Stamford Bridge since the return of Jose Mourinho as manager in the summer, Blanc said: "You talk about him because he is not playing.

"If you wish to bring in quality reinforcements, you need someone who can play in all competitions, and there are not many of them."

Spaniard Mata would not be able to play for another club in the Champions League in the second half of the season having already done so for Chelsea.

"My objective is to keep my squad as it is. If that is the case, I'll be very happy," said Blanc.

However he admitted: "We have a few too many players in certain sectors. But I am happy with that because it creates healthy competition.

"There is plenty of competition for places and that raises the level within the squad."